Sheriff Koon announces he will run for re-election, kicks off campaign with fundraiser

Lexington, SC (Paul Kirby) – Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon has publicly announced that he will run for reelection in 2020. Koon is in his 5th year of serving as Lexington County’s sheriff.

According to the sheriff, he, his leadership team, and deputies have worked hard during his tenure to build better relationships with Federal and State law enforcement partners. He says he’s also reduced response times and cracked down on drug and gang-related problems in the community. Koon was sworn into office after winning in a special election in 2015.

Koon was awarded the SC Law Enforcement Officers’ Association Award of Excellence in 2017. He began his law enforcement career in 1993 as a reserve officer for the University of South Carolina’s Division of Law Enforcement and Safety. He then went to work for the Town of Lexington where he served in a variety of positions during his 20 year tenure. Koon and his family are active members of the Lexington community and are members of Saxe-Gotha Presbyterian Church.

One contender has already announced he will try to defeat Koon in the election. David Arnold was a region commander with the department before leaving some years ago. He has also worked with the City of Columbia in Homeland Security.

To kick off his campaign, Koon is hosting a “Chicken Stew with the Sheriff” on Sunday, September 15th, 2020. It will be held at The Grove on Augusta, formerly Harmon’s Tree Farm, west of Lexington. Its address is 3152 Augusta Hwy Gilbert, SC. It will begin at 4:00 pm and the public is invited to attend.